The Old Rugged cross.

Yesterday my wife and I were at Peacehaven to conduct chapel service and also visit staff and residents. It was our second time to meet the Assistant Pastor of Wesley Methodist Church Pastor Jeremy Ong who had come to visit a member of his congregation now resident in our Nursing Home.

The Pastor with his two helpers took this elderly man to one corner to have holy communion and a time of prayer and fellowship. He was thoughtful  and did not want disturb the other residents.

Then we heard quiet strains of music on the guitar and soon they were singing, "The old rugged cross." I could sense interest in some of the residents who were Christians. Spontaneously I joined in the singing and one or two who knew the hymn also joined in the chorus. Somehow I felt the Lord was blessing us. Later when they sang "To God be the glory" some of the residents started to clap. We could sense the movement of the Spirit of God. The pastor and his assistants left us and we continued with our short chapel service.

It was a great morning for us. We go to the Nursing Home to share our blessings but in turn we are always blessed by the staff, residents and visitors too.

The composer of the hymn "The old rugged cross" George Bennard was an officer of The Salvation Army. He and his wife served as Salvation Army officers for eight years. Then they resigned and joined The Methodist Church and he became an evangelist.

He went through a trying experience that led him to reflect seriously on the significance of the cross and Paul's writings about entering into the fellowship of Christ's sufferings. We do not know what Bernard's trial was, but out of it came this conviction that the cross is not just a Christian symbol, but the very heart of the gospel.

He later wrote "The words of the hymn were put into my heart in answer to my own need." Out of George Bennard's trial and pain, this beautiful hymn was born. It has blessed countless people and I certainly am bless every time I sing it. And that's often!

In 1958, Bennard exchanged the cross for a crown. Be faithful and you and I too when the times comes will exchange the cross for the crown.

Another thought came to my mind as I write, William Booth left the Methodist Church and founded The Christian Mission which later became The Salvation Army. We are closely linked with the Methodists. I know a number of Salvationists who after leaving the Army have gone to join the Methodists. When we get to heaven there will be no denominations - we are all followers of Christ.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.

4. To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.